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MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOOIETY. 119 
IN MEMORIAM. 
BY THE SECRETARY. 
DR. ALFRED E. AMES, 
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Who died September 23, 1874, especially deserves mention in this 
report, because of the fact that he was ever identified with the devel- 
opment of horticulture in Minnesota, being one of its earliest pio- 
neers, and manifesting an earnest interest in its success. It would 
almost seem to be a matter of supererogation to recount the many 
zealous efforts in behalf of the industries of our State, performed by 
one whose whole life was so familiar to its people; however, the fol- 
lowing data, from his own diary, will doubtless prove interesting 
and acceptable : 
He was born at Colchester, Vermont, December 14th, 1814, and 
was consequently at the time of his death, nearly sixty years of age. 
When seventeen years old, he removed to Orwell, Ohio. When at 
Barnesville, Ohio, he became, in 1833, engaged at brick-making, 
teaching and studying during a portion of the year, and thus fitting 
himself for greater and more extended usefulness. 
On September 28th, 1836, he married Miss Martha A. Pratt, at 
Geneva, Ohio, and in the following October removed to Chicago, Il- 
linois, that city at the time having a population of only 3,000. Near 
the present city of Bloiden, he shortly afterwards pre-empted a claim 
of 160 acres, residing the requisite portion of the year upon it, and 
the remainder at Chicago, engaged in his trade. 
In November of 1838, at Vandalia, then the seat of government of 
Illinois, he became acquainted with Stephen A. Douglas, and with 
Alex. P. Field, the Secretary of State. By the latter he was ap- 
pointed his deputy. He was also appointed private secretary to 
Governor Carlin. 
In 1839, going to Springfield, which had become the capitol of the 
State, he became deputy to Stephen A. Douglas, who was then the 
Secretary of State; and private secretary of Governor Carlir, and 
chief clerk of the House Committee. It was during this year that he 
attended his first course of medical lectures at Rush Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago. 
In 1841, he began the practice of medicine at Belvidere, Illinois. 
August Ist, 1842, he was elected to the Illinois House of Represent- 
atives. March 30th, 1842, he was appointed postmaster of Belvi- 
